Sing your heart out

SING YOUR HEART OUT


A breath of Fresh Air wafted through the small Molise town of Santa Croce di Magliano this evening, and it was quite simply a revelation.

Sprinkled liberally in freshly fallen snow this December it is certainly festive, and a concert held in the large white church which dominates the centre of the town bought a radiant glow to a cold winter's night.

A group of singers led by their musical director Francesco Finizio bought Gospel music to Molise.

The audience certainly seemed to enjoy the music although it was certainly a shock to many to see such vibrant energy literally rocking the church.

Gospel music is not new of course, but here in Italy certainly in rural Molise it set the pews alight, and the silverware vibrating.

Perhaps a regular dose of leaping, jumping, joyous singers could inject a new lease of life into the churches which are so often empty now apart from a resolute band of local people who file into mass daily.

 I am not Catholic so am not in a position to pass judgement, so I decided to do a little research to find out the opinions of others more involved, and I came across this article, 

Perhaps this excerpt sums up how many people feel

Worship is indeed a type of praise, and music is an integral part of it. But the sacred liturgy is the public prayer of the Church, a corporate worship by which baptized Catholics enter into a Mystery which is not of their making. Being a corporate action, it is governed by law and tradition so as to preserve its unity throughout the world and its fidelity to the Message revealed by God. Worship is a Christian act of the baptized gathered by bonds of communion with the visible institutional Church.

https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/music/why-praise-and-worship-music-is-praise-but-not-worship.html

comments welcome.............

 The guest soloist, La Shion Banks, from Georgia in the USA currently touring with the group said she enjoyed bringing a new brand of music to the hearts of the people here, and her exuberance certainly seemed to lift a few souls tonight.

Although she complained bitterly about the cold and snow it clearly did nothing to dampen her spirits or enthusiasm in bringing Gospel music to Molise.

Akachukwu Onubogu a bright and breezy young man from Nigeria, who has now settled here in Foggia also took the audience down a very different road from the one they are used too seeing when they sit in the wooden pews of their local church.

His rendition of Amazing Grace was sung with feeling and passion bringing tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.
(You can hear it on my facebook page)
Dancing, clapping and jigging with a vibrant energy he was an inspiration to everyone in the church.


I hope this version of the same song lifts your heart too.

The other singers created rich melodies which echoed with clarity around the small church,

Other soloists all sang with ease and grace. Even their pronunciation of the English lyrics was excellent. Something which is sadly not always the case I am afraid to say.

The drummer reminiscent of a rock musician certainly supported the choristers  accompanying at just the right pitch bringing rhythm and vitality  which together with pianist, bass player and violinist  created an eclectic mix

I hope this is beginning of something new which will bring people back into the churches here in Molise, as it a brand of music that certainly lifts the heart, and brings people together to celebrate just what Christmas is all about... Bringing joy to the world.

In 2018 let these words ring out across the world and perhaps if we could share the spirit of Christmas 365 days a year it would be a better place.

In the meantime, it is thanks to forward-thinking open-minded people like
the town's Mayor Donato D'Ambrosio and Nicoangelo Licursi that Molise does exist.

                                 

Peacocks, more than meets the eye

A peacocks feather

The work of artists in any medium has always intrigued and fascinated me. 

I studied art and art history at college, and although I paint I am certainly no master, yet with both brush and pen (keyboard now) I endeavour endlessly to express myself. 

When I moved to Molise last year I set out on a journey to discover more about the one hundred and thirty-eight towns and villages, 

I did not expect to develop an interest in SACRED ART. This has developed over time as I grown to love and admire the quality and splendour of the art in the churches here.both inside and out

The discovery of an art which enriches the beauty of the churches 

has encouraged me to study and research the subject in more depth.

The principal method of spreading the word in Christianity 

and indeed in all religions has always been by word of mouth, but the desire to record and remind followers of the stories, and teachings meant that it was important too, to write them down, or retell them pictorially.

The symbolism of objects within the paintings is fascinating.

Each item in a painting carries a message, which evolved as a method of storytelling enabling those unable to read the written word to understand a subject in more depth.

The significance of a peacock's feathers 

with its all-seeing eyes represent a pure soul and one that cannot be corrupted, and it  is seen as a symbol of immortality and the resurrection

It does not matter what one believes even today when considering the impact art has on man.

We must look at it with open hearts and eyes ready to embrace its beauty, origins and it's character.

Having travelled fairly extensively 

I have had the opportunity not only to marvel at the stone carvings and wall paintings in Egyptian temples but also at the simple drawings in South American villages. Art has always been a tool with which man can express himself. 

This is where the value of the artist and the artisan became fundamentally important to the church. When we began to build churches and temples we needed people who had the talent to adorn the walls both inside and out with brush, paint, hammer, and chisel.

In Italy.......

there are many churches of great importance in cities like Rome of course, richly adorned with frescoes, sculptures, and carvings, yet in the rolling hills, mountains and rich green valleys of Molise there is so much to admire.

 The Churches ........

Those of  the greatest significance here are not only those which house the most intensely beautiful art on the inside but those which make an impact because of their location or even their simplicity.

Just a few miles from my home is the tiny chapel of Santa Guista just outside the village of Castelobottaccio. It sits perched on a hill virtually hidden amongst the trees. 

It's simplicity, location and tranquillity hold the key to its spirituality. 

In complete contrast, the Cathedral in Bojano is richly adorned with extraordinarily beautiful frescoes.

These were only completed a few years ago by the Artist Rodolfo Papa, and it is rare for one single artist to paint a whole church.

 

The frescoes are contemporary with their roots firmly planted in the firm ground of traditional sacred art. Rodolfo Papa has studied extensively both in theory and practice, making him one of the worlds foremost fresco artists working today.

I met with him at his studio in Rome, where he showed me his work. He spoke with such passion and is working hard to encourage other artists to continue the traditions of sacred art.

 For more information on his work see his website.http://www.rodolfopapa.it/

His knowledge and expertise in this field of art opened a new avenue for me, and I am working with him to encourage and develop opportunities for anyone interested in Sacred Art, and Church architecture to visit Molise. 

Although I have studied art and art history for many years I had not fully realised the significance of Sacred Art.

One of the joys of art is to understand what the artist wanted to portray when they put brushed wall or canvas with their brush, then to read it for yourself just like words on a page.

A painting or a sculpture tells a story, and we are richer for having read it if we understand the meaning of the words

Thank you, Professor Papa for opening my eyes.